/oss/taxonomy/term/1235/all en /oss/article/health-general-science/squashing-some-mosquito-myths <p>Guests at the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Florida routinely emerge from the swimming pool and walk over to a nearby row of citrosa plants.  They proceed to shake the shrubbery and then rub their hands on their thighs.  No, this is not some sort of bizarre nudist ritual, it is just preparation for a spell of bite-free frolicking in the sun.  The citrosa plants produce two compounds, citronella and citral, which are claimed to have mosquito repellent properties! </p> Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:04:50 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8783 at /oss /oss/article/health-technology/why-mosquitos-bite-you-and-how-make-them-stop <p>Summertime means hammocks, BBQs, fireworks, and mosquito bites.</p> <p>At least it does for me. Those rotten little suckers seem to just love me. They’ll flock to me even when there are three other people sitting in my backyard. What is it about my blood that they seem to enjoy so much?!</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the science behind mosquitos and try to answer two questions: Why do mosquitos bite certain people, and what should we do to make them stop?</p> Fri, 05 Jul 2019 17:56:40 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7820 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-drugs-environment-health-news-toxicity-you-asked/you-asked-why-canada-banning-citronella-based-insect-repellants <p>Health Canada is set to ban topical mosquito repellants that contain oil of citronella. The oil contains methyleugenol, a compound that has caused liver tumours in rats fed in large doses, but this really has no relevance to topical application by humans While there is no evidence of harm from any topical application, other than the rare allergic reaction, no formal studies of safety have been carried out. In this case Health Canada seems to be applying the letter of the law.</p> Thu, 04 Sep 2014 01:43:36 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2191 at /oss /oss/article/environment/deet-me-how-best-repel-mosquito <p>When it comes to protection from mosquitoes, opinions are abuzz.  Burn citronella candles.  Wear repellant bracelets.  Douse yourself with Avon's Skin-So-Soft.  Eat garlic.  Take vitamin B1 supplements.  Use concentrated DEET.  Use dilute DEET.  People are confused.  Needlessly.  There are many questions science cannot readily answer, but the question of what is the most effective mosquito repellant is not one of them. </p> Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:14:35 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2348 at /oss